The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-09-22
THE ART OF SWIMMING.
why Should 1t Not BE an Element In
Public Education.

why Should 1t Not BE an Element In
Public Education.
The late disasters and loss of life in
Jamaica bay and elsewhere, says The
Brooklyn Eagle, have caused parents
20 inquire why swimming is not taught
n the private and public schools. l
have heard more than one father saw
that the art of swimming should be
known br all, as it is of more value in
D. on water than s milar knowledge
of English grammar would be in a
chance for drowning. tor all the learn
ng one might pick up in schools and
colleges would not save one from 60
ng to the bottom of the sea in case of
collision OF capsizing if he did not
know how to swim. In London dur
ng the hour of recess the school chill
aren are marched to the swimming
baths, where under the eyes of COM
petent instructors. they are taught how
20 save themselves from drowning by
swimming, floating, treadng water
and the frog movement. At first the
scholars dislike this particular and
most useful study, but after while,
when they gain confidence in them
selves and their teachers. they take
unto the water like duck. and the art
Of swimming becomes apastime in
stead of task. In conversation with
a prominent teacher Of swimming I
asked for an opinion as to the wisdom
Of the board of education in adopting a
system of swimming teaching in or by
public schools, and was answered as
follows: "All Americans should learn
to swim. for they live in land inter-
sected with lakes and rivers, and their
love of travel and water makes
it necessary for all to master the
art. We can never tell beforehand
when call shall be made on us to
face danger, and therefore we ought
to be ready to meet the watery element
with confidence born of knowledge de-
rived from good teaching. The fact of
the matter is that the public schools
should initiate the example set by their
English cousins in amusing and instruc-
ting their pupils during the hour of re-
cess in the swimming baths. l do not
pretend to say that every school-teacher
should be good swimmer and instruc-
tor of the art, for all of them have
the heads crammed with other useless
information, which they are supposed
to transplant to the minds of the young
and then, again many of the instruc-
tors in the stereotyped mode peculiar
to modern school teaching are too old
to learn how to save their lives if in
danger, and, therefore, they could not
instruct in an art they know nothing
about Every parent should see to it
that the children become experts in
fresh salt or water. Wien we think Of
the beneficial results of the exercise
and the health giving qualities of the
water. then, it seems to me, that all
both great and small. should be taught
the art. have heard people say that
any child can swim. All one has to do
is to throw them overheard and they
will instantly strike out for dear life
| like a dog, or any other web-fOoted
animal. This is Il mistaken theory, for
the human race are not web-footed,
and, therefore, swimming, floating, OF
any other exercise in deep water must
be cultivated. as it does not come natur-
al to us. The art of swimming must
be acquired, and the first thing to teach
the child is to have confidence in it.
SELF"
"How is that taught?"
by going in the water with them,
take the little enes on your back and
amuse them in different ways. After
a while they get to like it, and having
full confidence in their protector they
do as they are told The leg motion is
the first thing to teach. and afterward
they should be instructed in the use of
their arms. They should be held by
putting one hand on their breast and
the other on the back. This does not
interfere with their arms in any way,
and having full sense of security they
commence to make strokes, and find
ing themselves successful the rest is
easy. The action of the frog is neither
handsome nor quick. and L disagree
with some authorities who recommend
it, because to me it is not desirable.
Children from years of age upward
should be taught to propel themselves
through the water with one hand only
or one foot, or with both hands or feet
alone This knowledge is extremely
useful in case of cramps, for the limb
that is attacked can be rested, while its
mate will bring the swimmer safe to
shore, where vigorous rubbing of the
muscles will make matters all right.
Delicate ladies who are advised by
physicians to learn the art of swim
ming become fatigued at first, but af-
ter while they can make the element
subject to their will, and when once
under their control the accomplishment
will never be forgotten. In proof OF
this assertion it may be said that a
Miss Wright, who is a near relative of
Miss Booth, of Harper's Weekly, was
taught by her father to float when a
child. For many years the lady did
not enter the water. and it might be
supposed she would forget how to rest
upon its surface, but she did not, as
upon very dark night, when walking
a plank from one steamboat to another
On the Mississippi river she slipped and
fell into twelve feet of water. The
young lady could not swim a stroke,
but with great presence of mind she
turned on her back and remained
motionless while floating for one hour.
and was rescured after a painful sus-
pense on the part of her friends. A
number of instances of this kind. where
knowledge of floating, even BY those
who could not swim, saved their lives,
could be related. and it can be said,
without fear of successful contradiction,
that il the women on the Mystery had
known how to float everyone of them
would have been saved, and there